Three young children found in squalid conditions

Children were found living in squalid conditions early Monday, reportedly with access to knives and suspected drugs, prompting the parents's arrests.

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

Three small children were found living in squalid conditions early Monday, reportedly with access to knives and suspected drugs, prompting Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies to arrest the parents on child neglect charges.

Jess Palmer, 31, and Stephanie Renee Palmer, 25, were arrested after deputies responded to the home in the 4600 block of Northeast 167th Place in response to a disturbance call, according to sheriff’s reports.

Inside the home, deputies found the children, ages 1, 2 and 5, living among trash and rotting food strewn around the house. In the living room, several knives were found within reach of the children. In the bathroom, a powdery substance — which was identified as cocaine residue by one of the Palmers — was found on the counter, according to reports.

There was not enough residue left on the counter to test.

The two younger children were found dirty with their own waste, one sleeping in a crib with a soiled, torn mattress with exposed metal springs. Next to the child was rotting sandwich meat.

All three children were dirty and had multiple bug bites on them, reports state.

The Palmers were each charged with one count of child neglect and booked into the Marion County Jail. Stephanie Palmer was additionally charged with domestic battery, related to the original disturbance call. She was being held without bail. Jess Palmer remained at the jail Monday in lieu of a $5,000 bond.

The children were turned over to a family member and the Florida Department of Children and Families was contacted.